By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Wednesday 30, September, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, marking what the Service described as its first full-cycle international wildlife operation involving interception, rescue, rehabilitation and the safe return of a trafficked animal to its country of origin.
The operation, carried out between September 22 and 28, 2026, was coordinated by the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), with Bili departing from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, for the Comptroller-General of Customs, on September 30, 2026.
Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the Service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking. Following the rescue, the young gorilla was placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, where she underwent rehabilitation.
According to the NCS, a DNA test subsequently confirmed that Bili originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for arrangements for her repatriation.
The gorilla was transported from Calabar to Lagos before being airlifted to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost. She was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor to ensure her welfare throughout the repatriation process.
The Service said the repatriation was undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with support from the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Bili, according to the NCS, is listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of protection to species threatened with extinction.
The Customs Service said the successful operation demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment, as a signatory to CITES, to protecting endangered species and fulfilling its international obligations on wildlife conservation.
It added that the Special Wildlife Office would continue to strengthen the Service’s enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks while developing partnerships to ensure rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their countries of origin and natural habitats.
The repatriation of Bili, the Service noted, therefore represents the completion of an entire wildlife protection process, beginning with interception and rescue, followed by rehabilitation and ultimately international repatriation.
The operation comes against the backdrop of intensified enforcement by the NCS and its Customs Area Commands against illegal wildlife trade across the country.
Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects in connection with wildlife-related offences.
Among the items seized during the period were 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, in addition to various live endangered and protected species intercepted at different locations.
The NCS said enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
Some of the notable interventions during the period involved the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
The Service also reported the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September 2026.
According to the NCS, the operations resulted in several arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, reinforcing its efforts to disrupt the networks involved in the illegal trade in protected and endangered species.
The Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team, acknowledged the contributions of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Government of the Republic of Congo to the successful repatriation.
The NCS said the return of Bili to the Republic of Congo also underscored the broader responsibilities of the Service beyond revenue generation, particularly in the areas of national security, environmental protection and enforcement of international obligations.
The Service urged members of the public to provide information on suspected cases of illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation to support ongoing efforts to protect endangered species and combat wildlife trafficking.
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